Director Stephen Jakobi, a lawyer for 40 years, said: "Kevan's case is an absolutely blatant miscarriage of justice, and has been from the very beginning.

"The prosecution never had any merit at all and it is very worrying that he was convicted.

"In particular, the evidence on language was totally ignored.

"When I spoke with Spanish MEPs they shared my concern about standards of justice on the Canary Islands.

"My concerns are about a fair trial on appeal, and that it won't be heard by the same judge. I have been told by the native lawyer and the Spanish MEPs I consulted that I needn't worry. Let us hope they are right."